How Much Should You Feed Your Cat? (By Weight & Age)

1. Start with Calories, Not Cups

The biggest feeding mistake cat owners make is measuring food in cups or cans without knowing how many calories those portions contain. A "cup" of one brand might be 300 calories while a cup of another brand is 450 calories. Feeding "one cup per day" of each gives wildly different results.

Every cat food lists its calorie content (kcal per cup for dry, kcal per can for wet) somewhere on the packaging — usually on the back or side in small print. This is the number that matters. Once you know how many calories your cat needs per day, you divide by the calories per serving to get the right portion size.

The formula is simple: Daily calories needed / Calories per cup (or can) = Amount to feed per day. Split that total across two meals.

2. Daily Calorie Guide by Weight

These are maintenance calories — the amount needed to maintain current weight for a healthy adult indoor cat. If your cat needs to lose weight, reduce by 10-15%. If they're underweight, increase by 10-15%. Active outdoor cats may need 25-30% more.

A note on large breeds: Maine Coons, Ragdolls, and other large breeds naturally weigh more. A 15-pound Maine Coon is healthy; a 15-pound domestic shorthair is likely overweight. Use your cat's ideal weight (ask your vet) rather than their current weight when calculating calories if they're over or underweight.

3. Adjusting for Age

Kittens (0-12 months): Kittens need significantly more calories per pound than adults because they're growing rapidly. Generally, kittens need 60-65 calories per pound of body weight — roughly double what an adult cat needs. Feed kitten-specific food (higher protein, higher fat, more calorie-dense) and offer 3-4 meals per day until 6 months, then 2-3 meals per day until 12 months.

Adults (1-10 years): Use the table above. The main variables are activity level and whether your cat is indoor or outdoor. Most pet cats in this range need 20-25 calories per pound per day.

Seniors (11+ years): Senior cats are a mixed bag. Some become less active and need fewer calories (reduce by 10-20%). Others lose weight as they age because their digestive systems become less efficient at absorbing nutrients — these cats may actually need more calories or a more digestible food. Weigh your senior cat monthly and adjust accordingly. If your senior cat is losing weight despite eating well, see your vet — it may indicate hyperthyroidism or kidney disease.

4. Portion Sizes: Wet vs Dry vs Mixed

Once you know your cat's daily calorie target, here's how to translate that into actual food amounts. These are approximate — always check the calorie count on your specific brand.

Dry food only: Most dry cat foods contain 300-400 kcal per cup. For a 10-pound indoor cat needing ~225 kcal/day, that's roughly 1/2 to 3/4 cup per day, split into two meals. Measure with a proper measuring cup or kitchen scale — a heaping "scoop" can add 25-50% more calories than you think.

Wet food only: A standard 5.5 oz can of wet food contains 150-200 kcal. A 3 oz can contains 80-110 kcal. For a 10-pound indoor cat, that's roughly 1.5 standard cans (5.5 oz) per day or about 2-2.5 small cans (3 oz) per day. Wet food is less calorie-dense than dry, which is actually an advantage for weight management — your cat gets more volume per calorie. For a full comparison, see our wet food vs dry food guide.

Mixed feeding: Many owners feed one wet meal and one dry meal. The math: calculate total daily calories, subtract the wet food calories, and make up the rest with dry food. Example for a 10-pound indoor cat (225 kcal target): one 5.5 oz can of wet food (~180 kcal) plus 1/8 cup of dry food (~45 kcal) = ~225 kcal total.

5. Feeding Schedule

Two meals per day is the standard recommendation for adult cats. Feed at consistent times — most people do morning and evening. Consistency helps regulate your cat's digestion and makes it easier to monitor appetite (a sudden loss of appetite is an important early health indicator).

Free-feeding (leaving dry food out all day) works for some naturally self-regulating cats, but it fails for the majority. If your cat is overweight, free-feeding is almost certainly part of the problem. It also doesn't work with wet food, which spoils at room temperature within 1-2 hours.

Puzzle feeders and slow feeders are worth considering for indoor cats that eat too quickly or need mental stimulation. They don't change how much you feed — just how your cat accesses the food. See our enrichment guide for more on using food as mental stimulation.

Treats: Treats should make up no more than 10% of daily calories. For a cat eating 225 kcal/day, that's about 22 kcal in treats — roughly 5-6 small commercial cat treats. Reduce meal portions to compensate for treat calories.

6. Monitoring and Adjusting

Calorie guides are starting points, not final answers. Every cat's metabolism is different. Here's how to adjust:

• Weigh your cat monthly. A kitchen scale or baby scale works. Weight changes of more than half a pound per month in an adult cat warrant a portion adjustment.
• Use the Body Condition Score. Feel your cat's ribs — you should feel them easily with light pressure but not see them. From above, there should be a visible waist. From the side, the belly should tuck up, not hang down.
• Adjust in small increments. If your cat needs to lose weight, reduce calories by 10-15%, not 25%. Rapid calorie restriction in cats can trigger hepatic lipidosis. Weight loss should be gradual — no more than 1-2% of body weight per week.
• Track what you feed. For multi-cat households, this is especially important. Cats steal each other's food. Feeding in separate rooms with doors closed ensures each cat gets the right portion.

For help choosing a food that matches your cat's needs, see our best cat food picks and indoor cat food guide.